According to a March 2019 article from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the U.S. Senate has displayed outrage following distressing reports, witness statements, and other accounts from families regarding neglect of their loved ones suffered in nursing homes. Life-threatening consequences of this neglect include the development of preventable bedsores.
Families find themselves wracked with guilt over their loved ones’ neglect in what should be a safe and caring support setting. If your loved one endured neglect in their nursing home, the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will support you and protect the rights of your loved one.
An Oak Park bedsores lawyer can fight to secure the justice you deserve. Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation about your options.
Bedsores: A Sign of Nursing Home Neglect
Bedsores can present serious health concerns and nursing home staff should do everything to prevent this condition, as well as immediately treat it when it arises. In the absence of suitable preventative measures from caregivers, any bed- or chair-bound individual—or anyone who experiences a limited ability to move unassisted—suffers a high risk of developing bedsores, as do individuals who suffer from nervous or circulatory illnesses. Bedsores can develop fast, and if left unnoticed or untreated, they lead to serious complications, including:
- A serious injury that never completely heals and develops into a type of cancer.
- Infections of the skin and connected soft tissues.
- Bone and joint infections.
- Sepsis, which can spread throughout the patient’s body with life-threatening consequences.
Bedsores might indicate a situation of nursing home neglect. They usually involve unrelieved pressure on the skin at points where the skin covers bony areas, such as elbows, heels, hips, ankles, and lower back. The sores can cause serious infections and other life-threatening injuries.
Nursing home caregivers should turn or rotate their bed-ridden residents to prevent bedsores, so any appearance of these injuries could serve as evidence of neglect. Possibly, the caregivers left your loved one sedentary and alone in a bed or wheelchair for prolonged periods of time.
Useful Resources in Bedsore Nursing Home Neglect Cases
If you believe your loved one developed bedsores due to neglectful behavior while in the care of a nursing home, you can and should take immediate action. Many organizations can help you pursue the best course of action for your loved one.
First, if you suspect any abuse, exploitation, or neglect of an older person, contact the appropriate authorities by calling the statewide Adult Protective Services Hotline: (800) 252-8966 or the Illinois Department on Aging at 1-866-800-1409.
Securing the safety of your loved one could mean that you may need to consult with a lawyer. They can discuss your loved one’s neglect and explain your options for seeking compensation for injuries inflicted by the negligent party.
For a free legal consultation with a Bedsores Lawyer serving Oak Park, call (800) 794-0444
Starting a Medical Negligence Claim
If you believe that the nursing home or its staff behaved negligently in the care of your loved one, a personal injury claim may help you cover costs associated with the injuries resulting from this negligence. An Oak Park bedsores lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will fight for your right to receive compensation for:
- Emotional distress.
- Medical costs for current and ongoing treatment.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish and psychological trauma.
Call our firm today so we can begin building your case.
Oak Park Bedsores Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How the Statute of Limitations in Illinois Affects Nursing Home Negligence Cases
The statute of limitations in Illinois imposes a time limit on how long you have to file a claim from the date when the injury occurs or is noticed. Currently, you must act within two years, based on this statute.
If you fail to file a claim within this time frame, you may not be able to bring your case to trial or to hold those accountable for their actions. Speak with an Oak Park bedsores lawyer as soon as possible so they have more time to build a strong case.
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How a Lawyer Will Handle a Case of Nursing Home Neglect, Abuse, or Negligence
After reporting your concerns to the appropriate authorities, consider first speaking with an Oak Park bedsores lawyer. Many of these cases involve both medical and legal aspects, and you may quickly feel overwhelmed and outmatched if you try to take the matter on by yourself.
Communicating with Witnesses
Consider, too, the possible communication barriers involved in older people providing statements, especially if they have difficulty speaking following a stroke or have impaired cognitive ability through dementia or Alzheimer’s. A lawyer who has handled this type of case can overcome these communication challenges using special techniques.
Establishing Duty of Care
Such a lawyer knows where to look to gather the necessary evidence and statements required to prove that the nursing home owed a duty of care to your loved one, that the nursing home or caregiver breached that responsibility, and the breach resulted in harm to your family member.
Providing Support Along the Way
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will give you their support and help you in your search for justice and fair compensation in your case of nursing home neglect. Call today to discuss any concerns about the legal aspects of your case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Protecting the Rights of Older People with Compassion and Dignity
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understands how terrible it is to discover that a loved one suffered neglect by nursing home staff who you pay to protect, care, and support your loved one. You have options open to you, and you can take action.
Our lawyers work diligently with compassion and determination, providing our clients with the heart-felt litigation they deserve. We fight passionately to protect the rights of older people who have suffered nursing home abuse, and we seek justice for the harm they have wrongly had to endure.
Reach out today and talk to us during a free case evaluation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
